Electrophoresis apparatus for simultaneous loading of multiple samples

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes apparatus for simultaneous loading of multiple samples for molecular separation, including a separation area with walls wherein at least one of the walls has apertures having loading sites, a gel located within the separation area, and a plurality of wells within the gel. The apertures are connected to the plurality of wells by channels structurally configured to convey samples from the apertures to the wells.  
     The present invention further includes apparatus for electrophoresis separation having a substantially closed electrophoresis area, an electrophoresis gel located within the electrophoresis area, and multiple rows of wells within the electrophoresis gel, wherein the rows are arranged in a stagger format.  
     A device is provided for delivering samples into wells for molecular separation, having a flat surface with a top side and a bottom side, multiple loading sites on the top side arranged in standard format, multiple apertures on the bottom side arranged in stagger format and leading to the wells, and a channel through the flat surface connecting the loading sites to the apertures.  
     The present invention provides a method for simultaneous loading of multiple samples into an electrophoresis apparatus, including the steps of providing an electrophoresis apparatus having an area with walls defining the area and a gel within the area having multiple wells arranged in stagger format, wherein the walls include apertures having loading sites and channels structurally configured to direct samples into the wells, loading the samples into the loading sites with a standard multiple loading mechanism, and conveying the samples from the loading sites to the wells.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention provides an apparatus for simultaneouslyloading multiple samples for conducting an electrophoresis test.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A great deal of diagnostic procedures and laboratory research arecarried out wherein DNA, RNA or proteins are separated according totheir physical and chemical properties via electrophoresis. This processis widely used and has many applications. For example, electrophoresisis used to analyze DNA molecules according to their resultant size afterbeing digested by restriction enzymes. It is also used to analyze theproducts of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

[0003] In some instances, molecules are driven toward a capture layer,which has part of a molecular recognition pair e.g. antibody-antigen,DNA-DNA probe, biotin-avidin, ligand-receptor, lectin-carbohydrate orothers. Only specific parts of each pair of molecules that move throughthe capture layer are captured (e.g., an antigen when the capture layercontains a specific antibody), while the non-specific molecules passthrough the layer unimpeded.

[0004] Electrophoresis separation is carried out in a separation medium,such as a gel of agarose or acrylamide or a combination of the two.Agarose gels are cast in open trays and form a horizontal slab whereasacrylamide gels are vertically cast between two glass plates.

[0005] Prior to electrophoresis separation, wells are introduced intothe gel for sample deposition by applying a comb-like structure prior tothe solidification or polymerization of the gel matrix. A row ofapproximately 8-15 wells is formed across one end of the gel.

[0006] In order to effect the electrophoresis separation, two oppositeends of the gel are exposed to a buffered solution which is connected byelectrodes, often made of platinum, to an electrical power source. Oncethe electrical power source is switched on, the electric field forcesnegatively charged molecules to move towards the anode and positivelycharged molecules to move towards the cathode. DNA is negatively chargedand therefore, in the agarose or acrylamide gels which provide sievingaction, DNA molecules move towards the anode at a rate which depends ontheir size, wherein the smaller the molecules the faster they move. Therunning distance should be long enough to allow sufficientdifferentiation between molecules.

[0007] It is desirable to visualize and to document the results of theelectrophoresis separation test. In electrophoresis separation of DNAmolecules, this has been done by immersing the gel slab after theelectrophoresis separation has been completed in a solution of afluorescent compound, such as ethidium bromide, which intercalateswithin DNA molecules and emits visible light when exposed to anultra-violet (UV) light. In order to document the results, a picture ofthe gel is taken through one of various photographic means.

[0008] Prior art electrophoresis systems are potential sources ofcontamination to the working environment in which the tests areperformed. The two major sources of contamination are ethidium bromideand PCR products. Ethidium bromide is a hazardous chemical due to itsmutagenic activity and therefore, exposure to ethidium bromide mayinduce malignant tumors. PCR is an extremely sensitive method to theextent that a single molecule of DNA product from one PCR (out of thetrillions of molecules being produced) may interfere with the subsequentPCR such that it will produce incorrect results.

[0009] Also, conventional electrophoresis is time consuming in terms ofpreparation and handling. This is particularly true when a large numberof samples are to be analyzed, and loading of samples is done one byone.

[0010] Several inventions have been directed towards eliminatingcontamination, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,188, which describes the useof a membrane loader for gel electrophoresis; and an electrophoresisapparatus with a cover, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,582,702, and 5,865,974incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus is directed towards therunning of electrophoresis separation, as well as detecting andanalyzing the results, within a self-contained, disposable unit.

[0011] Attempts have been made to reduce the time it takes to run anelectrophoresis separation as well by loading many samples at once.Further, simultaneous loading of samples could reduce contamination andhuman error. Standards in cell culture, ELISA and PCR analysis providedifferent sized plates, with corresponding pipettes for ease in sampleloading and analysis. For example, 96-well plates are typically used.Correspondingly, pipettes that fit this configuration are available andare widely used. Use of standard microtiter pipettes would greatlyreduce the loading time for electrophoresis.

[0012] Saito et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,835, address this issue byproviding an apparatus for loading of samples into wells within anexposed gel with standard pipettes. However, the testing apparatus haslimited resolution capacity since a running distance of only 0.8 cm isavailable. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,396 a gel-matrix layer is describedwith wells arranged for loading of samples with standard pipettes. Inthis patent, the running distance is increased by diagonally offsettingthe entire array of wells. U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,166 describes a methodfor reducing the linear dimension necessary for electrophoresisseparation in a micro-gel format.

[0013] In addition, several needle guide designs have been developed toaid in loading samples directly into wells in a way that would save timeand prevent inaccuracies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,145 providesa needle guide for loading samples into a vertical slab gel. Similarly,U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,295 is directed towards a combination comb/loadingguide unit. In both of these designs, the loading sites are positioneddirectly on top of the wells so as to allow for simple, direct loadingof samples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention provides, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, an apparatus for simultaneous loading of multiplesamples for molecular separation, including a separation area with wallswherein at least one of the walls has multiple apertures with loadingsites, a gel located within the separation area, and a plurality ofwells within the gel. The apertures are connected to the plurality ofwells by channels structurally configured to convey samples from theapertures to the wells. In one embodiment, the loading sites are spacedat predetermined intervals so as to conform with intervals between tipson a loader.

[0015] In one embodiment, the plurality of wells is arranged in rows,and the rows are arranged in stagger format, providing a runningdistance for molecular separation which is longer than the distancebetween two adjacent rows.

[0016] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention an apparatus for electrophoresis separation having asubstantially closed electrophoresis area, an electrophoresis gellocated within the electrophoresis area, and multiple rows of wellswithin the electrophoresis gel, wherein the rows are arranged in astagger format.

[0017] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention, a gel layer for molecular separation having aplurality of wells within the gel layer. The wells are arranged in aplurality of rows, and wells of one row are horizontally shifted fromwells of a neighboring row by a predetermined distance. The horizontalshift is alternated from left to right, so as to form a staggered formatof wells within the gel layer.

[0018] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention a device for delivering samples into wells formolecular separation, having a flat surface with a top side and a bottomside, multiple loading sites on the top side arranged in standardformat, multiple apertures on the bottom side arranged in stagger formatand leading to the wells, and a channel through the flat surfaceconnecting the loading sites to the apertures.

[0019] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention an electrophoresis apparatus for non-weighted sampledeposition, including a substantially closed area, an electrophoresisgel with wells located within the electrophoresis area, and a non-liquidion source located within the gel, eliminating the need for weightingsamples before deposition into the wells.

[0020] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention a system for conducting electrophoresis separationincluding an electrical power source, a substantially closed disposablecassette for conducting an electrophoresis separation therein and havingconductive elements therein, and a support for supporting thesubstantially closed cassette and for connecting the electrical powersource to the conductive elements of the cassette, where one or moregels may be connected simultaneously. The cassette includes a body ofgel for carrying therein the electrophoresis separation, a plurality ofwells in the body of gel arranged in a stagger format and a plurality ofapertures having loading sites leading to the plurality of wells.

[0021] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention a method for treating water-absorbent plastic used forelectrophoresis devices, including the steps of placing thewater-absorbent plastic in a humidified environment and saturating thewater-absorbent plastic by leaving it in a humidified environment for apredetermined period of time.

[0022] There is provided, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention a method for simultaneous loading of multiple samplesinto an electrophoresis apparatus, including the steps of providing anelectrophoresis apparatus having an area with walls defining the areaand a gel within the area having multiple wells arranged in staggerformat, wherein the walls include apertures having loading sites andchannels structurally configured to direct samples into the wells,loading the samples into the openings with a standard multiple loadingmechanism, and directing the samples from the apertures to the wells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be understood and appreciated morefully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe appended drawings in which:

[0024]FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of an electrophoresisapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 3A-3D are geometric illustrations of configurations ofwells and apertures and loading sites according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0026] FIGS. 4A-4C are geometric illustrations of configurations ofwells and apertures and loading sites according to another embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a channel configuration inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a channel configuration inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic illustrations of channelconfigurations in accordance with further embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0030] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate anelectrophoresis disposable cassette, generally referenced 10. FIG. 1shows an external configuration of cassette 10, while FIG. 2 shows across-sectional view. Cassette 10 is a closed disposable cassette usedfor a single electrophoresis test, and includes all the chemicalcompounds required for driving the electrophoresis separation and forenabling visualization of its results when DNA as well as RNA or proteinmolecules have been separated, as will be described hereinbelow.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, cassette 10 comprises a three dimensionalseparation area 11 having bottom wall and side walls, referenced 12 and14 respectively, and a top wall 16 having a specified thickness.Cassette 10 is substantially closed in that it is enclosed by walls 12,14 and 16, but it also comprises vent holes and apertures as will bedescribed hereinbelow. In one embodiment, the thickness ranges from0.1-10 mm. In another embodiment, the thickness is 1.5 mm. Cassette 10as shown in FIG. 1 has a specified length, width and height. In oneembodiment, the length ranges from 100-200 mm, the width ranges from50-150 mm and the height ranges from 1-10 mm. In a preferred embodiment,length, width and height are 160 millimeters (mm), 100 mm and 6 mm,respectively. In another preferred embodiment, length, width and heightare 130 mm, 130 mm and 6 mm, respectively.

[0032] Bottom wall 12 and top wall 16 are preferably made of anysuitable UV transparent material, such as the TPX plastic commerciallyavailable from MITSUI of Japan or the Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)plastic commercially available from Repsol Polivar S.P.A. of Rome,Italy. Cassette 10 may include vent holes 32 and 34 to allow for gaseousmolecules that might be generated due to the electrochemical reaction(e.g., oxygen and/or hydrogen) to be released. In one embodiment, ventholes range in diameter from 0.5-2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, ventholes are 1 mm in diameter.

[0033] As seen in the cross section illustration (IV-IV) of FIG. 2, area11 comprises a gel matrix 18 which may be any suitable gel matrix forelectrophoresis, such as an agarose gel or a gel made of acrylamide(available from, for example, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo., USA). A pluralityof wells 36 may be introduced into gel 18, by using a “comb” having arow of protruding teeth positioned so that the teeth project into thegel layer while it sets. In one embodiment, the plurality of wellsranges from 1-200 wells. In another embodiment, the plurality of wellsranges from 8-12 wells. In another embodiment, the plurality of wellsincludes 96 wells.

[0034] When the gel has set, the comb is removed to leave a row of wells36, or holes, in the layer. In one embodiment, wells 36 are dimensionsof 0.5-5 mm wide, 1-5 mm long, and 3-5 mm deep, and are used tointroduce samples of the molecules to undergo molecular separation. Onerow or several rows may be formed. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, 12 rows of 8 wells per row are formed, and are arranged in astagger format, as shown in FIG. 1 and described more fully below. Inanother embodiment, 8 rows of 12 wells per row are formed and may alsobe arranged in a stagger format. For one embodiment of the presentinvention, top wall 16 has apertures used as loading sites 41, asdescribed more fully below.

[0035] In addition, cassette 10 may optionally include a capture layer37 including part of a molecular recognition pair for separating samplesaccording to binding properties. Capture layer 37 is immobilized withingel 18, and is fabricated with resins to which the binding site of amolecule of interest will covalently bind. Some examples include avidinon acrylic beads, biotin on cross linked beaded agarose and others. Theresins are mixed with agarose or other materials and poured as layersinto gel 18. Alternatively, acrydite™ (available from MosaicTechnologies, Waltham, Mass., USA) may be used. Acrydite™ is aphosphoramide that is capable of copolymerization with acrylamide, andit can be used to introduce copolymerizable groups on the 5′ terminus ofany oligonucleotide probe. To make the capture layer, Acrydite™oligonucleotide capture probes may be mixed with acrylamide solutionsand polymerized into gel layers.

[0036] The capture electrophoresis technique provides concentratedsignals, saves time and saves material. One or multiple capture layersmay be used. This technique may be performed on its own, or incombination with a standard size electrophoresis separation.

[0037] It is desirable to visualize and to document the results of theelectrophoresis separation test. In electrophoresis separation of DNAmolecules, this has been done by immersing the gel slab after theelectrophoresis separation has been completed in a solution of afluorescent compound which emits visible light when exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) light. According to one embodiment of the present invention,the samples or the gel interact with ethidium bromide or otherfluorescent dyes. In this way, the results may be viewed in situ,without the need for exposing the samples to contamination by removingthe gel from the enclosed area 11.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, varioustypes of light sources may be used. In one embodiment, a light source ofadjustable or non-adjustable wavelengths may be used. The light sourcemay include visible or non-visible light.

[0039] Alternatively a colorimetric dye, such as Methylene Blue may beadded to the samples, the gel, or the ion reservoir and may interactwith the molecules undergoing electrophoresis separation, so as toenable visualization of the results without the need for a UV lightsource.

[0040] Area 11 also comprises two conductive electrodes referenced 21and 23 which, when connected to an external direct current (DC)electrical power source, provide the electric field required to driveelectrophoresis separation. In the illustrated embodiment, electrode 21is the cathode and electrode 23 is the anode. The system may alsoinclude a support for connecting conductive elements of cassette 10 tothe power source. In one embodiment, the support is configured toconnect to one or more gels simultaneously. Further, the systemoptionally includes a camera for documentation.

[0041] In one embodiment, the gel 18 and the conductive electrodes 21and 23 are in contact with non-liquid ion sources such as ion exchangematrices as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,582,702 and 5,865,974.

[0042] It should be noted that since plastics used as cassette materialare sometimes water absorbent, they may be pre-treated by placement in ahumidified environment and saturation by leaving it for a predeterminedperiod of time so as to avoid later water adsorption or uptake ofliquid, thereby keeping the gel intact. In one embodiment, the period oftime ranges from 1-72 hours. In another embodiment, the period of timeranges from 1-20 days. In another embodiment, the period of time is atleast 10 days. In a preferred embodiment, the period of time is 10 days.

[0043] It should be noted that in conventional electrophoresis, samplesmust be weighted so that they sink through the buffer to the bottom ofthe wells. This is generally accomplished by combining a substance suchas Glycerol, Sucrose, or Ficoll polymer with the sample. It will beappreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention, there is noliquid buffer present in the vicinity of the wells, and instead, anon-liquid ion source is located within said gel. Thus, the step ofweighting samples before deposition into said wells may be eliminated,thereby decreasing the time necessary to perform an experiment.

[0044] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-3D, taken together with 4A-4C,which show embodiments of loading sites 41 and outlet apertures 39 ontwo sides of wall 16. It will be appreciated that in one embodiment,wall 16 refers to the top wall, or the cover, of the apparatus. Inanother embodiment, other walls are used, such as side walls. Wall 16should be considered as a flat surface with a top side and a bottomside. FIGS. 3A and 4A show views from the top side of wall 16. FIGS. 3Band 4B show views from the bottom side of wall 16. FIG. 3C shows athree-dimensional view of a portion of wall 16. FIGS. 3D and 4D showcross-sectional views of a portion of wall 16.

[0045] Stagger format of outlet apertures 39, located on the bottom sideof wall 16, corresponds to stagger format of wells 36 within a layer ofgel 18, as depicted in FIGS. 3B and 4B. That is, wells of one row arehorizontally shifted from wells of a neighboring row by a predetermineddistance. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance is in the rangeof 0.05-20 mm. In another embodiment, the predetermined distance is 4.5mm. The horizontal shift occurs in alternating directions from left toright, so as to form a staggered format.

[0046] Thus, when electrophoresis separation takes place, the availablerunning distance between adjacent wells 36 in the direction ofelectrophoresis separation is from 8-20 mm. In one embodiment, theavailable running distance is up to 18 mm, as shown by arrow 43. Thisamount is double what would be available without stagger formatting,greatly increasing the potential for larger sized molecules to beseparated. If wells 36 were arranged according to a standard format, andnot a stagger format, samples in each row would have a running distanceof less than 1 cm, whereas in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3B,twice that distance is available since samples can run between wells 36of the next row.

[0047] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, inlet apertures 38 haveloading sites 41 located on the edges, all on the top of wall 16 ofcassette 10. Loading sites 41 are configured either linearly (one row),or in a geometrical arrangement of columns and rows, typically in arectangular arrangement. In one embodiment, loading sites 41 are spacedat predetermined intervals so as to conform with intervals between tipson a loader. “Loader” refers to a mechanism used to load samples, suchas a micro-titer pipette, as described hereinbelow. Multiple loadingmechanisms allow for many samples to be loaded at once. Thus, thespacing between loading sites can vary, and may be configured to conformwith intervals on any type of loader. In one embodiment, thepredetermined intervals include 0.5-2 mm spacings. In a preferredembodiment, the predetermined intervals include 9 mm spacings, so as toconform with a micro-titer multi-pipette loader for 96 wells. In anotherembodiment, predetermined intervals include 0.001-1 mm spacings, so asto allow for a micro-scale system.

[0048] The shape of loading sites 41 may vary, but they are typicallycircular, so as to fit the end of a loader tip. A standard multipleloading mechanism such as a micro-titer multi-pipette loader availablefrom, for example, Eppendorf Scientific, Inc., Westbury, N.Y., USA maybe used, thus enabling simultaneous loading of as many samples as canfit in the pipette. Thus, for a 96-well configuration, loaders areavailable from, for example, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.,USA, that would enable loading of 96 samples all at the same time, orloading of 8 or 12 samples at a time. Similar models might be availablefor the other formats as well.

[0049] Loading sites 41, either located on the edges of inlet apertures38 as in FIG. 3A, or alone, as in FIG. 4A, are not directly above outletapertures 39, which lead into wells 36. Therefore, samples must beconveyed to wells 36, either by use of an incline, or by some othermethod, as described hereinbelow. Variations of the describedembodiments are possible, for example, apertures and loading siteslocated in walls other than wall 16, such as side walls which in avertical gel would form the top wall.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3D and 4C, channels 40 connect loading sites 41to outlet apertures 39. Channels 40 are formed from structuraladaptations of wall 20 connecting loading site 41 to outlet aperture 39so as to allow for the flow of a sample from loading site 41 to outletaperture 39. Channels 40 are structurally configured in such a way so asto convey samples into wells 36. In one embodiment, channel 40 comprisesan incline. In another embodiment, channel 40 comprises another featureto help convey the sample, such as a magnetic or electrical property.

[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows an embodiment of thepresent invention. A wide loading site 41 is portrayed above outletaperture 39. Thus, the shape and/or size of loading site 41 differs fromthe shape and/or size of outlet aperture 39. In this example, channel 40is configured in an irregular shape so as to allow for the sample to bedirected into outlet aperture 39, even though application of the samplemay not occur directly in line With outlet aperture 39.

[0052] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which shows a further embodimentof the present invention. Outlet aperture 39 and loading site 41 areindirectly aligned with one another. Since loading site 41 is notlocated directly above outlet aperture 39, an incline in channel 40provides direction of the sample into outlet aperture 39, and then intowell 36.

[0053] Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are illustrationsof further embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 7A, one loadingsite 41 leads to multiple outlet apertures 39, and in FIG. 7B, multipleloading sites 41 lead to one outlet aperture 39. Thus, as shown in FIG.7A, multiple tests can be performed on a sample after a single pipetteapplication, reducing the sample loading time. This is accomplished bychannel 40 having a branched configuration. Alternatively, if largeramounts of samples are needed, multiple amounts may be delivered to onewell 36, as shown in FIG. 7B, without changing the settings on thepipettes. This, too, is accomplished by a structural channel 40configuration. Many other configurations are possible.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the embodiments described hereinaboveare described by way of example only and that numerous modificationsthereto, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention,exist. For example, gels may be either vertical or horizontal. Inaddition, apertures may be on the side wall of the apparatus, ratherthan directly on the top cover. In one embodiment, the entire system isin a microscale range, in which case all the dimensions describedhereinabove are reduced by a factor of 10-100.

[0055] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that thepresent invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the claims that follow:

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for simultaneous loading of multiplesamples for molecular separation, the apparatus comprising: a separationarea having walls, wherein at least one of said walls comprises multipleapertures having loading sites; a gel located within said separationarea; and a plurality of wells within said gel, wherein said aperturesare connected to said plurality of wells by channels structurallyconfigured to convey samples from said apertures to said wells.
 2. Anapparatus as in claim 1, wherein said loading sites are spaced atpredetermined intervals so as to conform with intervals between tips ona loader.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising at least onecapture layer located within said gel.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 3wherein said capture layer includes part of a molecular recognition pairfor separating said samples according to binding properties.
 5. Anapparatus as in claim 1 wherein said walls include a top wall.
 6. Anapparatus as in claim 1 wherein said walls include side walls.
 7. Anapparatus as in claim 1 wherein said walls are UV transparent.
 8. Anapparatus as in claim 1 wherein said walls are pretreated to avoid wateradsorption from said gel.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein saidwalls are pre-treated by water saturation.
 10. An apparatus as in claim2 wherein said predetermined intervals include 0.5-20 mm spacings. 11.An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said predetermined intervals include9 mm spacings.
 12. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said predeterminedintervals include 0.001 mm-1 mm spacings.
 13. An apparatus as in claim 1wherein said plurality of wells are arranged in rows.
 14. An apparatusas in claim 13 wherein said rows of wells are arranged in staggerformat, thereby providing a running distance for said molecularseparation which is longer than the distance between two adjacent rows.15. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said apertures are structurallydifferent from said wells.
 16. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein saidstructural difference includes a difference in shape.
 17. An apparatusas in claim 15 wherein said structural difference includes a differencein size.
 18. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said structuraldifference includes a difference in alignment positions.
 19. Anapparatus as in claim 1 wherein said channel configuration includes anincline.
 20. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said channelconfiguration includes an irregular shape.
 21. An apparatus as in claim1 wherein said channel configuration includes a branched configuration.22. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said at least one wall withmultiple apertures is a side wall.
 23. An apparatus for electrophoresisseparation, the apparatus comprising: a substantially closedelectrophoresis area; an electrophoresis gel located within saidelectrophoresis area; and multiple rows of wells within saidelectrophoresis gel, wherein said rows are arranged in a stagger format.24. An apparatus as in claim 23 further comprising at least one capturelayer located within said electrophoresis gel.
 25. An apparatus as inclaim 24 wherein said at least one capture layer comprises part of amolecular recognition pair for separating said samples according tobinding properties.
 26. An apparatus as in claim 23 further comprisingapertures having loading sites located above said wells.
 27. Anapparatus as in claim 26 wherein said loading sites are arranged inpredetermined intervals.
 28. An apparatus as in claim 27 wherein saidpredetermined intervals include 0.5-20 mm spacings.
 29. An apparatus asin claim 27 wherein said predetermined intervals include 9 mm spacings.30. An apparatus as in claim 27 wherein said predetermined intervalsinclude 0.001 mm-1 mm spacings.
 31. An apparatus as in claim 26 furthercomprising channels leading from said apertures to said wells.
 32. A gellayer for molecular separation having a plurality of wells within saidgel layer, wherein said wells are arranged in a plurality of rows,wherein wells of one row are horizontally shifted from wells of aneighboring row by a predetermined distance, wherein the horizontalshift is alternated from left to right, so as to form a staggered formatof wells within said gel layer.
 33. A gel layer as in claim 32 whereinsaid molecular separation includes electrophoresis separation by size.34. A gel layer as in claim 32 wherein said molecular separationincludes separation by binding.
 35. A gel layer as in claim 32 whereinsaid molecular separation includes separation by size and by binding.36. A gel layer as in claim 32 wherein said predetermined distance is inthe range of 0.05-20 mm.
 37. A gel layer as in claim 32 wherein saidpredetermined distance is 4.5 millimeters.
 38. A device for deliveringsamples into wells for molecular separation, the device comprising: aflat surface with a top side and a bottom side; multiple loading siteslocated on said top side; multiple apertures on said bottom side leadingto said wells, wherein said apertures are arranged in stagger format;and a channel through said flat surface connecting said loading sites tosaid apertures.
 39. A device as in claim 37 wherein said molecularseparation includes electrophoresis separation by size.
 40. A device asin claim 37 wherein said molecular separation includes separation bybinding.
 41. A device as in claim 37 wherein said molecular separationincludes separation by size and binding.
 42. A device as in claim 37wherein said loading sites are arranged in predetermined intervals. 43.A device as in claim 42 wherein said predetermined intervals include0.5-20 mm spacings.
 44. A device as in claim 42 wherein saidpredetermined intervals include 9 mm spacings.
 45. A device as in claim42 wherein said predetermined intervals include 0.001 mm-1 mm spacings.46. A device as in claim 42 wherein said stagger format provides arunning distance which is longer than the distance between two adjacentrows.
 47. A device as in claim 42 wherein said channel includes anincline.
 48. A device as in claim 42 wherein said channel includes anirregular shape.
 49. A device as in claim 42 wherein said channelincludes a branched configuration.
 50. An electrophoresis apparatus fornon-weighted sample deposition, the electrophoresis apparatuscomprising: a substantially closed electrophoresis chamber; anelectrophoresis gel with wells located within said electrophoresischamber; and a non-liquid ion source located within said gel, therebyeliminating the need for weighting samples before deposition into saidwells.
 51. An apparatus as in claim 50 further comprising multiple rowsof wells within said electrophoresis gel, wherein said rows are arrangedin a stagger format.
 52. An apparatus as in claim 50 further comprisingapertures having loading sites located above said wells.
 53. Anapparatus as in claim 52 wherein said loading sites are arranged inpredetermined intervals.
 54. An apparatus as in claim 53 wherein saidpredetermined intervals include 0.5-20 mm spacings.
 55. An apparatus asin claim 53 wherein said predetermined intervals include 9 mm spacings.56. An apparatus as in claim 53 wherein said predetermined intervalsinclude 0.001 mm-1 mm spacings.
 57. An apparatus as in claim 52 furthercomprising channels leading from said apertures to said wells.
 58. Anapparatus for electrophoresis separation, the apparatus comprising: asubstantially closed electrophoresis area; an electrophoresis gel withwells located within said electrophoresis area; multiple rows of wellswithin said electrophoresis gel, wherein said rows are arranged in astagger format; and at least one capture layer located within said gel.59. An apparatus as in claim 58 wherein said at least one capture layerincludes part of a molecular recognition pair for separating saidsamples according to binding properties.
 60. An apparatus as in claim 58further comprising apertures having loading sites located above saidwells.
 61. An apparatus as in claim 60 wherein said loading sites arearranged in predetermined intervals.
 62. An apparatus as in claim 61wherein said predetermined intervals include 0.5-20 mm spacings.
 63. Anapparatus as in claim 61 wherein said predetermined intervals include 9mm spacings.
 64. An apparatus as in claim 61 wherein said predeterminedintervals include 0.001 mm-1 mm spacings.
 65. An apparatus as in claim60 further comprising channels leading from said apertures to saidwells.
 66. A system for conducting electrophoresis separation, thesystem comprising: an electrical power source; a substantially closeddisposable cassette for conducting an electrophoresis separation thereinand having conductive elements therein, said cassette comprising: a bodyof gel for carrying therein said electrophoresis separation; a pluralityof wells in said body of gel arranged in a stagger format; and aplurality of apertures having loading sites leading to said plurality ofwells; and a support for supporting said substantially closed cassetteand for connecting said electrical power source to said conductiveelements of said cassette.
 67. A system according to claim 66 furthercomprising a light source, thereby enabling visualization of saidelectrophoresis separation while said cassette is in situ.
 68. A systemaccording to claim 67 wherein said light source is of variablewavelengths.
 69. A system according to claim 68 wherein said lightsource is a UV light source, and said cassette comprises UV sensitivematerial capable of interacting with molecules undergoingelectrophoresis separation and of emitting light.
 70. A system accordingto claim 66 further comprising a colorimetric dye capable of interactingwith molecules undergoing electrophoresis separation, thereby enablingto conduct said electrophoresis separation and to visualize it whilesaid cassette is in situ.
 71. A system according to claim 66 whereinsaid cassette is pre-treated by water saturation.
 72. A system accordingto claim 66 further comprising camera means for documenting the resultsof said electrophoresis separation.
 73. A system according to claim 66wherein said support is configured to connect to one or more gelssimultaneously.
 74. A system according, to claim 66 wherein said loadingsites are spaced according to predetermined intervals for simultaneousloading of multiple samples.
 75. A system according to claim 74 whereinsaid predetermined intervals include 9 mm spacings.
 76. A systemaccording to claim 66 further comprising at least one capture layerlocated within said gel.
 77. A system according to claim 76 wherein saidat least one capture layer includes part of a molecular recognition pairfor separating said samples according to binding properties.
 78. Amethod for treating water-absorbent plastic used for electrophoresisdevices comprising the steps of: placing said water-absorbent plastic ina humidified environment; and saturating said water-absorbent plastic byleaving said water-absorbent plastic in said humidified environment fora predetermined period of time.
 79. A method as in claim 78 wherein saidpredetermined period of time 8is in the range of 1-72 hours.
 80. Amethod as in claim 78 wherein said predetermined period of time is 1-20days.
 81. A method as in claim 78 wherein said predetermined period oftime is 10 days.
 82. A method as in claim 78 wherein saidwater-absorbent plastic is UV transparent.
 83. A method for simultaneousloading of multiple samples into an electrophoresis apparatus, themethod comprising the steps of: providing an electrophoresis apparatushaving an area having walls defining said area and a gel within saidarea having multiple wells arranged in stagger format, wherein saidwalls comprise apertures having loading sites and channels structurallyconfigured to direct samples into said wells; loading said samples intosaid loading sites with a standard multiple loading mechanism; anddirecting said samples from said loading sites to said wells.
 84. Amethod as in claim 83 wherein said standard multiple loading mechanismincludes a microtiter multi-pipette.
 85. A method as in claim 84 whereinsaid microtiter multi-pipette includes a 96-well microtiter format. 86.A method for molecular separation, the method comprising the steps of:providing an apparatus having a separation area having walls definingsaid separation area and a gel within said chamber having multiple wellsarranged in stagger format, wherein said walls comprise apertures havingloading sites and channels structurally configured to direct samplesinto said wells; loading said samples into said loading sites with astandard multiple loading mechanism; directing said samples from saidloading sites to said wells; providing an electrical current throughsaid separation area so as to allow for separation of said samples; andseparating said samples according to predefined properties.
 87. A methodas in claim 86 wherein said predefined properties include size.
 88. Amethod as in claim 86 wherein said predefined properties include bindingproperties.
 89. A method as in claim 86 wherein said predefinedproperties include size and binding properties.
 90. A method as in claim86 wherein said standard multiple loading mechanism includes amicrotiter multi-pipette.
 91. A method as in claim 90 wherein saidmicrotiter multi-pipette includes a 96-well microtiter format.
 92. Amethod for electrophoresis separation of non-weighted samples, themethod comprising the steps of: providing a substantially closedelectrophoresis area having an electrophoresis gel with wells locatedwithin said electrophoresis area and a non-liquid ion source locatedwithin said gel, thereby eliminating the need for weighting samplesbefore deposition into said wells; loading said non-weighted samplesinto said wells; providing an electrical current through saidelectrophoresis area so as to allow for separation of said non-weightedsamples; and separating said non-weighted samples according topredefined properties.
 93. A method as in claim 92 wherein saidpredefined properties include size.
 94. A method as in claim 92 whereinsaid predefined properties include binding properties.
 95. A method asin claim 92 wherein said predefined properties include size and bindingproperties.